Return To Forever Announces US Tour Dates with Zappa Plays Zappa

Return to Forever has announced the their US dates to their World Tour, which will span August and September. Bass giant Stanley Clarke, who turns 60 in June, will be joining returning members Chick Corea and Lenny White as well as new members Frank Gambale and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty for the trek with the band, dubbed “Return to Forever IV”.

Clarke says the shows will be packed with fan favorites.

“I’ve enjoyed going to shows with bands like Earth, Wind & Fire — they can go from one song to the next, non stop for two hours plus, with each song strongly resonating with the audience,” he said. “With this version of RTF and its legacy songbook, along with individual members’ solo tunes, this is one of the few bands of our genre that can sustain a show like that. Seemed like a fun thing to do. There’ll be some new stuff too, which keeps it all fresh and moving forward.”

As if Return to Forever IV wasn’t enough of a draw, the tour will include Zappa Plays Zappa, led by Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil and held down by bassist Pete Griffin. The band is a tribute to the late Zappa, and keeps his music alive through performance.

Return to Forever IV US Tour Dates:

August 7, 2011: Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

August 8, 2011: Buffalo, NY – UAB Center for the Arts

August 9, 2011: Baltimore, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion

August 10, 2011: Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center

August 11, 2011: Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion

August 12, 2011: New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre

August 13, 2011: New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre

August 16, 2011: Columbus, OH – The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion

August 17, 2011: Cleveland, OH – State Theatre

August 18, 2011: Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend

August 19, 2011: Detroit, MI – MeadowBrook Music Festival

August 20, 2011: Chicago, IL – The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino

August 21, 2011: Indianapolis, IN – The Murat

August 22, 2011: Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center

August 24, 2011: Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre

August 25, 2011: St. Louis, MO – Fabulous Fox Theatre

August 26, 2011: Kansas City, MO – The Midland By AMC

August 27, 2011: Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

August 28, 2011: Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden

September 8, 2011: Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

September 9, 2011: Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

September 10, 2011: Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheatre

September 11, 2011: Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall

September 13, 2011: Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater